Smoke Detector Tips

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detector Tips Smoke detectors should be located on every floor of your home. Especially in hallways next to bedrooms and the tops of stairways. It is recommended that you place a smoke detector in every bedroom, especially if bedroom doors are kept closed often. Fire codes on most new homes now require this. As easy as they are to mount, you really have no excuse to not have several. Follow the directions given to you by the manufacturer, but generally they are mounted in the center of ceilings and on walls about 10 inches below ceiling level. They should be in areas which receive good airflow. Their are two main kinds of smoke detectors, photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric units use a photoelectric cell and a beam of light. They work when smoke fills the unit and the beam of light is reflected off of it. This light is then picked up by the photoelectric cell which sets off the alarm. Ionization smoke detectors work by ionizing the air inside the detector. When smoke enters the detector, it senses the change in electrical conductivity and sets off the alarm. Combination units are now also available for the best of both worlds. Smoke detectors can be and should be connected together. An alarm company can handle this for you rather easily. Connecting the smoke detectors together will allow an alarm in one detector to set off all of them. This is especially useful with 2 story homes or where bedrooms are split on different ends of the home. Do not place detectors too close to kitchens, fireplaces or garages unless you like false alarms. Smoke detectors, especially ionization ones can be very sensitive. Also do not place wall mounted detectors too close to ceilings or ac/heat vents as this could shield them from smoke. Test your detectors at least once per month. If your detector begins to chirp, it means that the batteries are low and should be replaced. To test them, hold a candle underneath the unit. Ionization detectors should respond to a lit candle. Photoelectric ones should respond to the smoke which comes from the candle when you blow it out. Replace them if they fail to go into alarm. Most fire related injuries and death come by smoke inhalation and most fatal fires occur at night when we are sleeping. By installing and properly maintaining fire detectors in your home, you will be drastically improving the safety of you and your family.	Find a Security Service